Woman Struck By C-Town Delivery Van Dies

HARTFORD — An 83-year-old woman who was struck by a C-Town delivery van outside the supermarket on July 11 has died.

Maria Santos died late Wednesday afternoon, said Gene Swain, an attorney from Riscassi & Davis who is representing Santos' family.

"They are struggling with it and dealing with their mother's passing," he said.

The driver of the van, Victor Morales, 21, is charged with reckless driving, evading responsibility, unsafe backing, driving without a license and driving on a sidewalk. His case is pending in Superior Court.

Hartford police Lt. Brian Foley said the department will be working with the State's Attorney's office to determine which additional charges apply.

Surveillance video shows Santos walking past the van on the sidewalk as it is being loaded for a delivery, according to a police report. Once the van is loaded, Morales gets in and backs up along the sidewalk toward a driveway and hit Santos from behind, the report says.

Morales told police he didn't see the woman when he checked the rearview mirrors, and when he felt he hit something he said he walked to the back of the van and he saw Santos, according to a police report. He said he immediately called the assistant manager at C-Town, then dialed 911, the report says.

He ran from the scene but returned 30 minutes later and spoke with officers, police said.

Morales did not explain what he did during the time he disappeared, except to say that he was scared, the report says. Morales does not have a driver's license and gave police a passport from Mexico when he was asked for identification, the report says.